Gene 'affects insulin secretion'

A gene that affects insulin secretion has been identified by scientists in the US.

The study was carried out by researchers from the University of Illinois and the Chicago College of Medicine. They deleted a gene known as MADD from beta cells that produce insulin in mice.

Researchers found that the mice subsequently had higher blood glucose levels than before due to the fact that not enough insulin was now being released. Although the cells were producing significant levels of insulin, they were not secreting it. It was discovered that absence of the MADD gene means that insulin cannot leave the beta cells.

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Bellur S. Prabhakar, a professor in microbiology and immunology who co-wrote the paper, said: "We didn't see any insulin resistance in these cells, but it was clear that the beta cells were not functioning properly."

Doctors now hope that this research will help new drugs and treatments to be developed to treat type 2 diabetes or insulin secretion defects in humans.

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